The streets outside were even quieter than when they had arrived, but that was just fine with Venus.
She immediately raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
In the next instant, a ball of dark red light rapidly condensed above the street, and the Red Dragon landed silently soon after.
Setis couldn't help but widen her eyes as she stared at the suddenly appearing dragon, her expression filled with excitement.
After all, even though she was born into a duke's family, it wasn't every day she got to see a dragon up close—primarily because... there wasn't a single knight in the entire kingdom powerful enough to tame a dragon.
Seeing her trying so hard to remain calm while her eyes sparkled with excitement, Venus found it rather endearing.
She nodded and said,
“Get on.”
“C-Can I?”
“If I say you can, you can.”
Setis looked thrilled, her heart full of anticipation.
Venus leaped onto the dragon's back first, then reached her hand down to her.
Setis hesitated for a moment before grasping Venus's hand. In the next instant, she was pulled up by a gentle force, landing steadily on the Red Dragon's back.
The dragon scales weren't as rough or uncomfortable as she had imagined; instead, they carried a peculiar warmth. Setis carefully held onto the protruding scales in front of her, her heart racing.
Venus glanced back at her.
“Hold on tight.”
No sooner had she spoken than the Red Dragon spread its wings.
After a sudden gust of wind swept past, the Red Dragon took off into the sky. Flying too low in an area with so many ordinary people would inevitably cause panic, so she flew as high as possible.
Setis nearly cried out in surprise as the night wind rushed against her face, blowing her long golden hair back. Streets, rooftops, streetlamps, and patrol squads receded rapidly below. From this angle, the familiar royal capital looked entirely different.
This was her first time riding a dragon.
Excitement, nervousness, and a trace of unspeakable thrill mingled together, causing her to temporarily forget the messy thoughts she had earlier.
But soon, she recalled her behavior back in the teahouse.
Thinking back, she had really acted rather petty.
Especially since Venus had even offered to take her home.
Setis lowered her head, watching the streets fly past below, her ears flushing slightly.
Venus didn't notice her reaction at all, steering the Red Dragon to avoid several heavily patrolled areas.
The Red Dragon flew incredibly fast. In just about a minute, the Sebas Duke's estate appeared ahead.
They landed gently not far from the main gate. Setis climbed down from the dragon's back, the excitement on her face still lingering.
“Thank you, Lady Sage.”
Venus sat sideways on the dragon's back, waving her hand dismissively.
“No need to thank me, it was on the way. Go inside quickly. The royal capital isn't safe lately, so don't run around at night.”
Coming from Venus, those words sounded a bit ironic, considering she was the one flying around on a dragon in the middle of the night.
But considering her own strength, there was nothing wrong with what she said.
In the face of the Sage's lecture, Setis nodded obediently.
“I understand.”
Venus smiled and patted the Red Dragon's neck.
With a gentle flap of its wings, the Red Dragon's massive body rose into the air, quickly blending into the night.
Setis stood there watching for a moment before turning to enter. But just as she reached the steps, she suddenly paused.
Around the street corner not far away, a group of people was slowly approaching.
Setis frowned slightly—they weren't a patrol squad, nor did they look like the City Guard.
They wore uniform attire and marched in neat formation. Leading them was a woman dressed in a grey cloak.
Soon, the leader stepped into the light, allowing Setis to clearly see her face.
Most of her wariness vanished instantly, because the newcomer was the kingdom's Eldest Princess—Alicia von Augustus.
Setis had met her a few times in the palace when she was a child. Later, the Eldest Princess took charge of royal charities and protocol affairs, making frequent public appearances.
At least far more than the Second Prince...
The princess was gentle, highly educated, and possessed top-tier vocational talent, earning her a consistently good reputation among the royal capital's nobility.
It was just a bit surprising to run into her here so suddenly.
As the princess drew closer, Setis prepared to offer her greetings, but Alicia spoke first.
“Long time no see, Anna.”
Her voice was as gentle as ever. Setis quickly lifted her skirt and performed a noble curtsy.
“Long time no see, Your Highness.”
Alicia stepped closer, while her few attendants remained standing a short distance behind.
Setis directly asked with some curiosity,
“Your Highness, why are you here?”
A look of helplessness appeared on Alicia's face.
“With the frequent attacks lately, Father has dispatched almost everyone available in the palace, including us.”
She sighed, her tone tinged with exhaustion.
“But the palace's manpower is simply not enough. I could only bring my own people to join the patrol. Although we might not be of much help, we can't just stand by and do nothing.”
Hearing this, Setis also showed a sympathetic look.
“The situation lately is indeed quite unusual... especially with the empire's protests...”
She thought for a moment, then earnestly added,
“But things will get better soon.”
Alicia smiled slightly.
“Thank you. It's late, so head inside quickly. We still have to continue our night patrol.”
“Alright, Princess.”
Setis curtsied again, then turned and walked toward the gate of the estate, raising her hand to push it open.
The moment her palm was about to touch the door knocker, she suddenly sensed something amiss—where were the guards?
Normally, there would be at least two guards stationed in front of the estate's gate.
Even if the royal capital was drawing manpower from everywhere, surely they wouldn't take the Duke's private guards too? Had her father taken them?
Confused, Setis paused her movement to push the door.
In the next second, a faint sound of rushing air suddenly reached her ears.
It was immediately followed by a sharp pain as a cold blade pierced through her back, the steel directly skewering her chest.
Setis shuddered violently. The attack had come too quickly, and by the time she realized what was happening, it was already too late.
She stared down at the blade protruding from her chest, her eyes wide with utter disbelief.
Blood dripped down the blade, staining half of her body red.
After a brief moment of daze, Setis forced herself to look back, only to see Alicia's hand gripping the hilt of the sword.
The usually gentle and proper Eldest Princess stood behind her, the helplessness and exhaustion on her face completely gone, replaced by a twisted, ecstatic grin.
Setis opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but no sound came out despite her attempts.
Alicia giggled crazily at her reaction.
“Oh dear, what a shame... I missed slightly~”
She tilted her head, as if evaluating the completion of a piece of homework.
“I was planning to pierce your heart directly... but this is close enough.”
As her words fell, the world before Setis's eyes began to blur.
She could feel her strength rapidly draining away. She tried to force her mana to circulate, but with her chest pierced, the mana within her body could not be channeled effectively.
Just as her consciousness began to sink and darkness was about to claim her, a brilliant golden light suddenly erupted from her chest, instantly shattering the sword.
The force also blew Alicia and her attendants back several meters.
Soon, the golden light rapidly formed a sphere of light about two meters in diameter, completely enveloping Setis, while her body was lifted into the air by a gentle spiritual energy.
However, this did not stop her injuries from worsening—her chest continued to bleed profusely, and her life force was rapidly fading away as she fell unconscious from severe blood loss.
Rate on N.U.
